MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Burma - conduct of elections and the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi

23.11.2010

with request for inclusion in the agenda for the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Elmar Brok, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, Mario Mauro, Cristian Dan Preda, Bernd Posselt, Filip Kaczmarek, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Monica Luisa Macovei, Elena Băsescu, Tunne Kelam, Bogusław Sonik, Thomas Mann, Sari Essayah, Csaba Sógor on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0635/2010

B7‑0647/2010

European Parliament resolution on Burma - conduct of elections and the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to its previous resolutions on Burma,

_   having regard to the Declaration by the High Representative of 7 November 2010 on the elections in Burma,

_   having regard to the Statement by the UN Secretary-General of 8 November 2010 on the elections in Burma,

_   having regard to the Statement by the President of the European Council of 13 November 2010 on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi,

_   having regard to the Statement by the High Representative of 13 November 2010 on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi,

_   having regard to the Statement by the UN Secretary-General of 13 November 2010 on the release of Aung San Suu Kyi,

_   having regard to the Council Conclusions on Burma of 26 April 2010,

–   having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas on 7 November 2010 national elections were held, the first since those of 1990 whose results were never implemented; whereas the elections were won by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP),

B.  whereas the elections did not meet international standards; whereas restrictions were placed on most opposition parties; whereas there was a lack of free and balanced reporting by the media,

C. whereas the National League for Democracy (NLD) decided to boycott the elections, in the light of the conditions imposed on participation; whereas the NLD was disbanded by law on 6 May 2010, after not registering for the elections,

D. whereas Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the democratic opposition and Sakharov Prize winner, was released from house arrest on 13 November 2010; whereas it is essential that she has unrestricted freedom of movement and speech,

E.  whereas over 2200 prisoners of conscience remain detained in prison in Burma for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression or freedom of association and assembly,

1.  Deeply regrets that the Burmese authorities did not take the necessary steps to ensure a free, fair and inclusive electoral process;

2.  Deplores the fact that, under the new constitution, the military is guaranteed at least 25% of the seats in parliament and has the power to suspend civil liberties and legislative authority whenever it deems that to be necessary in the interests of national security;

3.  Welcomes the release of Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest on 13 November 2010; believes that her release provides an opportunity for genuine national reconciliation and democratic transition in Burma; expects that no further restrictions will be placed on her; asks the government of Burma to facilitate Aung San Suu Kyi to travel to the EU to collect the Sakharov Prize awarded to her by the European Parliament in 1990;

4.  Strongly urges the Government of Burma to release all remaining prisoners of conscience without delay, unconditionally and with full restoration of their political rights and to refrain from further politically motivated arrests;

5.  Strongly urges the Government of Burma to lift restrictions on freedom of assembly, association, movement and expression, including for free and independent media;

6.  Reiterates its support for the Council's decision of 26 April 2010 to extend the restrictive measures provided for in the current EU decision by another year;

7.  Reaffirms the essential importance of a genuine process of dialogue and national reconciliation for a transition to democracy; reiterates its call on the Government of Burma immediately to open a genuine dialogue with all stakeholders, including Aung San Suu Kyi and the various ethnic minorities that were excluded from the electoral process; welcomes, in this context, the mediation efforts by the UN Secretary-General and the UN Special Rapporteur on Burma;

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the EU Special Envoy for Burma, the Burmese State Peace and Development Council, the governments of the ASEM member states, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the UN Secretary-General and the UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur on Burma.